Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YbMFfO7BC
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4fX0ejy9Q
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhRHoGgrVw
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuECzMI0bsa
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn3GqAwybn
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDvJKVRoxc
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQqq9OaOi6
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVZQ25q1VL
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjWsPTS3ru
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGC2Rs7Nr
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGGqRVzuoj
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1njMgYnbl
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWBKO8Rloz
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmJxp8Tmmf
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTXejsuV3o
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQelFfBqK
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU1f2ZRhX7
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OqJV2ziRI
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhX7quL8TY
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zAnw6KTmc
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcZVr1RCFm
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp41vq8sKP
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQUavLwtcs
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3fvqvCt6s
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2PKYRFmUT
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc8qOtoShP
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6n3fK1m0T
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtbTsKgUc
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFXPvEOfSR
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmpr2B0Kfw
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK2lH2MqzM
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7LRvX9fVU
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzyKqM5D3z
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMV8LnHwL1
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseatQRZToq
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrvrQ58B7d
tonight.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9UIcuejEF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDUaBDy5UV
“Why did it take so long58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2OHdFTlYn
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ8DeP1PLZ
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6JJz8gnh
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepa9EDd6zq
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2zBVObnIk
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjBo9VD6vi
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMwUQdXVlr
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77X8Bh5fDN
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OncokELCl
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtjBuz1KGy
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKBCi1RP5h
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtG4wNVLp
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4IGTgRuKc
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny3V8EUUZW
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3OC6pycgO
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49NRoWrUnl
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg2lWZxXIs
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xxp7gGvdN
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdZ8nlBFx0
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW3JMqzIr2
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF6XyUzTS5
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycVARAZQcN
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4qwIDfQAX
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvVP4FAaxz
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxSDnXUxZV
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHKDDi8Fsu
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe9kvXZi7t
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PgNBEArze
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSyr53ea9u
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3eZHdXgVO
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2mj1y9kI0
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp9xNzyygo
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3hJMwTa3s
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfW00PNl35
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyCh2UzNiW
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjfEDEAg9z
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFwX46i5bD
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuCRwP8OGa
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW1DZY10zj
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FBkWudC9Z
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPHcsPyJwD
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDdicPweY2
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftYIHXTqYD
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqw06sNGjj
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGSoAFaSi
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6UEmBJenv
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMZcDcMUL3
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpi7tu8d9k
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhsnItg3HA
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5djszLp4K
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEkTBCGu3q
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy6WBzo6JS
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKsjslqdJS
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBCZzYO9RQ
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaUn2FFnIR
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSECVL9cfC
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AmXhbNyp4
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVzPh4fB6G
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMITJl5DAxm
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyaRvYwBON
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFfE1nmcjj
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnegK0MYzDL
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92JfhiQLSe
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aMPyTMAvA
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzIjbTyDgi
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxLyXWLcDw
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGvAFb7ypF
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kRKfZxRuL
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UatnnSNiX
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYnRQCGw5R
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4wSYkqAPn
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMWot9rWKr
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZaAFGPm7n
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaessCS1hty
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQxqFP0ESe
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QUUAwZnTc
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60M7kn5sE
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlsaCgxQ5d
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFWqXaHalb
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBCCMP2jsy
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit4ugE3zfe
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQuVGI5wdD
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPDl3svdHM
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeozrgdYumS
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEglz1QCZJ
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzh0Mburzv
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXRPVnUENF
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkPwPQMFW8
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0axwJLMeN
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLcLJ072IC
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzZ5LWqhwj
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGWliToGQD
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJELDGNBtu
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRvrpl49lf
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOkCdovZIb
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgjaesqNeU
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQDWIhIKkB
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzzL7NNa5W
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXiX8F01Xc
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhIEGOgKqz
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYemvyx54kA
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAOOYUNQlw
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH18Iuu7sC
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnblS9fFnOV
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7MdI4mNCT
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4YxKHJf2U
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqn6svjTaS
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm3ulj21h7
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xkBR3UxFf
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsyzaxpB9U
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqTmTti4cu
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNYK0J24YL
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bbDxFQOpT
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYEmyPwNP
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrjwdbK4SG
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhmnhHPSFv
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZVGpAeEzI
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHKLwt17ZB
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1loXh2oDbC
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboUgt8g9Bz
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMFSsPGaBq
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrIxVQbfpD
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FkftDEY66
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh0zPuKiAp
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NVIz04Ul5
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrTRmJReVh
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU1T6AsSH5
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CBgw1moXs
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9b8cahzeA
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8jun1Vgn1
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wcGD3cYYF
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEom8Z1RdK4
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh79ZXCxWnh
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeAIbejSiq
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht6rzpvPlO
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA1Ape5dQL
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA3oKtdMqW
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpt80CLHrq
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc03ilo6Xz5
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwM4UqUriu
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzovOjXMrhx
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWODtAUg63d
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnavZ4JOXs
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo7GImJTz9
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPBkR0rRCx
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfGbJcHwPJ
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllVQReQk4N
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBWi5NJu1Y
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5h0I2jLsi
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgbEyRYE9r
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsQ0Q4v0Tr
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZZfUA1uoQ
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkKhiFfgJv
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnDZsb15K7
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaANAbZZns
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIJFGRvQyK
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL2d5J7wo4
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsLaHMjJjO
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK3ymq3sbG
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwtPEMzi8p
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEfJ3wGgq1
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHSrQmtWxE
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQZpVtUSgz
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJWFlvUtbn
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGD1NECVzV
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0COLqEeQaZ
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVHHfVLRpV
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3NTN9bHzU
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR7JCmIxvv
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTj2SxxYgr
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLr0vWSZXb
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoyQY6WhQt
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9a7petz9a
room.
He decided to take the long way58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwnPOtpgsJ
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BiyH7M6l2
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtnru9Uk2E
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmO4lPzuLr
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb29KDjQmX
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtJKMWQd9H
many were resting.
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVj9Z4Sqob
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwzB62iXVq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeipHJkFgN2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbeqawFdSB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOr461N8El
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M3wbmPlHo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FKbW9sZL6
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iYDq7qhmp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuIZQENiVA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UZWCjrbSX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3G91EbomI
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVcuFuyecN
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDCVdufANy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xcfDhbRg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxvFE9R8hh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2baKzkMNa
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIMWorHsuh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjFSEn0hYB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaH5h65Ly5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa01CoRKmFO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpMZdrzLNt
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6K0pQ90WY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA665HzGy5u
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6raFn6HD8p
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BkLV6nARo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbKzCqVG8E
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2IwYB52CD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j7drkzNDF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT5QX0wlGH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHoXteLp9i
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImccuDa01s
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJntAVUTadE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoTvOEpWEf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytrabCBbxb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhncV12CasJ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksseAvkIdU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JkNvuHZX0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UJ8deE5FC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX9xbMSLRM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGDMyNRxMw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHllYdx0Za
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKSSFhY5fE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYPaYXTSz4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO21NgX9lm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6RgCOLcKd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEeHlNfMzd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlULAbSL4hZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQezCkipTXe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcxMjx2x46
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE7K3BgAFW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUex83P2FQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTkx4IBdls
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcog7bg3qU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn5RjiFsis
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgKFAwZ485
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oPa7dn4dX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyUXQqodXb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZpRJVuTCb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7SpMwp8E0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YcAKcueYy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6xP8rtY6U
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWOMJBhBz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDotxS3PVw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBhbG9Ex6H
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUlQ8XDWOS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g6tArcCdw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJjDU3Pctq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhoYYPGV8V
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqHCVPgZV4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYJvpomjy3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XDnKwMWDS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrusgPR89S
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4tN48b92z
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfj1OtJO4d
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQDhx8mtsu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHyPwsWCyV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHAe4nC76h
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd391FpsHwZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYtQcFqhTM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVjylWdqE5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNWD9HMU7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y7ZAa0qIr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcdptZP5x3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHhDd4UB0f
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4r4Saj9Mc
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILfIMwiQdL
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pOsTb8lQg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5nq4mF80m
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBEksFm2VS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRlCkHRW8h
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6z0iPn7ZC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYpkDyHDq5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiggSPao7CC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SoObeYKGf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKeJqCmX7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ4Z0E6k0Q
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAwBqzaQMa
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0jTJ6sOxB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT1ZHNCEk4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkJ4YlUkAp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDKD8vdH71
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2y6knvW5L
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynHg2efFd9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn9LNldT0O
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouZpsGdjOH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbelalgPJOe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF0uFkPMgP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7SvP36D3M
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExAyYIM8lp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYaNuZXvYE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdShezLGwqv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU950rXiwb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdlU2hIeLW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmvZcXikOf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lk7XTlV7Z
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCs3o0b4J5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHwffEtYSP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YYq0UM2ze
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaTjcFjulb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4ZiFVKUdg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK808I0nnjb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdRUTETwdj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq1yDbG5SD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsPye9KMk9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5jbwn7vkZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwxwApB62i
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yLIflI2Kt
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ljJsSrkpT
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiP3jwqO5W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku51Q23hEq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14nSEJf2ys
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNFNAzk6gl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFb4a7e4nK
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92vA1P9bOn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQiafYgYjZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn21EAAceHC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN99tsNdQD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CtCU8mg8o
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0smUV8LQG
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8xWVT5LYu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQri5wTgk8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9l5zz1xuD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLEIJKwnas
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgHg0cRdN1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWzMirRNiu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh1uxVhpfV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rtEHaadT1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHqC6ZRUON
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjwfj3laOR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJqXbjUzHq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWlxCruwFu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85AflMle6z
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGBOgUwZtU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPAeB9zt8X
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVSyA364IO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjKwpotXqG
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcrGVOYxzd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxuEAVtzB2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ajvZvzaRy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTcolDOIyr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6lzKXlxgD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqiSoc1ZZy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYaXfTpbXX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjWnu1CLh8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ53m6vJWE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG0PtBBZbD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3XcgtEt5f
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xTh4CkOJ5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ7Wu6JXJt
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSqiRkKy10
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzin91goAjc
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J01buhETo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaBySgsJlf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiTestCGQk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWSdbimVat
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVegcXxjae
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt8pBXc9Yx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJQp5iyt8C
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WBZOfF90N
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzLu2m7Qbg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Dgk9Q3Ad
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF1aWCnVxX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAve55qDsGg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjlg5Mo7mW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFUbhat3VX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWt2HRn6GC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PphxKxceX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM8S81dvbI
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlGLdfbMZ9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcdop3YHxC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ab2uRHqrP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoemQbVhIp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjlVsJAzEm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYu3xWQ1n0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy90L06Zgyc
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnftOigGbn8
The full moon was high in the sky58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ824MklRxQ7
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQUysY2PHu
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWMxQl2ktL
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1C44EfCd7
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ5eTH7rQm
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
